Systems and methods for hearing assistance device antenna

Abstract

Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for modular circuit component for a hearing assistance device flex antenna. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a universal apparatus for use with multiple hearing assistance devices. The apparatus includes a circuit module including an outer radial surface, the circuit module configured to provide electronics for a hearing assistance device. A flex circuit loop antenna is configured to be affixed to the outer radial surface, and the antenna is configured for wireless communication for the hearing assistance device. After the antenna is affixed to the outer radial surface, the circuit module is configured to be inserted into a plurality of different main hearing assistance device chassis. In various embodiments, the circuit module includes a retention feature and the antenna includes an opening configured to align with and receive the retention feature to affix the antenna to the circuit module.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus, comprising:
 a circuit module including an outer radial surface including a protrusion, the circuit module configured to provide electronics for a hearing device; and 
 an antenna including an opening configured to align with and receive the protrusion to be affixed to and conform to a portion of the outer radial surface, the antenna configured for wireless communication for the hearing device, wherein, after the antenna is affixed to the outer radial surface, the circuit module is configured to be fitted into a plurality of different main hearing device chassis, 
 wherein the antenna includes bend-relief cutouts configured to allow the antenna to follow the contour of the outer radial surface without kinking. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna includes a dipole antenna. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the antenna includes dipole arms configured to be folded to maximize aperture and to provide for multiple antenna polarizations. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein a top dipole arm of the antenna is configured to be centered on the hearing device. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein a portion of the dipole antenna is offset from an edge of the hearing device to reduce head loading and maintain an aperture and support multiple antenna polarizations. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein a first conductor arm on a bottom portion of the dipole antenna is folded to direct away from a second conductor arm on a top portion of the dipole antenna to maximize effective antenna aperture. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the first conductor arm is substantially orthogonal to the second conductor arm to support multiple polarizations. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the first conductor arm is folded in front of a battery of the apparatus. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the circuit module is configured to be snap-fit into the plurality of different main hearing device chassis. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna is configured to be fed from a centerline of the hearing device to provide symmetry and to improve an isotropic field pattern for the antenna. 
     
     
       11. A method, comprising:
 providing a circuit module including an outer radial surface including a protrusion, the circuit module configured to provide electronics for a hearing device; and 
 affixing an antenna including an opening configured to align with and receive the protrusion to the outer radial surface, the antenna conforming to a portion of the outer radial surface and configured for wireless communication for the hearing device, after the antenna is affixed to the outer radial surface, inserting the circuit module into a main hearing device chassis using a fitted connection, wherein the antenna is configured to be inserted into a plurality of different main hearing device chassis, 
 wherein the antenna includes bend-relief cutouts configured to allow the antenna to follow the contour of the outer radial surface without kinking. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the circuit module is configured to be snapped into the hearing device chassis. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the circuit module is configured to be friction fit into the hearing device chassis. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the plurality of hearing assistance device chassis includes a chassis for a hearing aid. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the hearing aid includes an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the hearing aid includes a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the hearing aid includes an in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the hearing aid includes a receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the hearing aid includes a completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aid. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the antenna is meandered to provide a desired combination of electrical and physical length, and to accommodate microphone ports of the hearing device.